KRALENDIJK/ORANJESTAD – Representatives of the Statia Government recently participated in a regional conference in Bonaire focusing on the use of satellite technology for disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring and maritime safety in the Caribbean.
The conference, titled “PROGRAM EU Satellite Systems in the Greater Caribbean: Navigating the Future,” was held from April 21 to 23 and brought together government representatives, policymakers, environmental specialists and technology experts from across the region.
The Statia delegation included Crisis Manager Andre Bennett, IT specialist Giovannie Brown and Yavonro Maynard, Unit Manager of VTH (Licensing, Supervision and Enforcement).
According to Bennett, the event provided practical insights into how satellite systems can support small islands in areas such as emergency response and environmental protection.
Former astronaut André Kuipers delivered a keynote presentation during the conference, which also featured discussions on maritime safety, communication systems, law enforcement applications and climate-related environmental monitoring.
Growing role
The event highlighted the growing role of satellite technology in helping Caribbean islands strengthen disaster management, protect coastal environments and improve regional cooperation.
